Here’s Everything We Know So Far About ‘The Girl In The Spider’s Web’

Major changes ahead...

A follow-up to David Fincher’s big screen adaptation of the Stieg Larsson thriller The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is on the way – but what do we know about the movie so far?

Coming six years on from Fincher’s film, the plot of The Girl In The Spider’s Web continues to follow, the exploits of troubled savant Lisbeth Slander, previously played by Rooney Mara.

She will once again be joined by Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig’s character in the Fincher film) as they attempt to solve the 40-year-old mystery at the centre of the original novel.

With that in mind, here’s everything we know so far about the reboot for The Girl in the Spider’s Web.

Who is directing?

Having helmed the first film, six years ago, with Mara as Lisbeth, Fincher was expected to return to shoot back-to-back sequels.

However, script delays saw the projects shelved, despite the first film’s success. Now, in a surprise turn of events, Fincher is set to serve as executive producer with Fede Alvarez taking the reins as director.

David Fincher On the set of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Alvarez won acclaim last year for the home invasion horror thriller Don’t Breathe and his experience could prove useful in approaching the darker, noir elements of the original text.

Sanford Panitch, president of Columbia Pictures, said: “Fede is an amazing director with a unique vision of the world. In particular, his talent and skill in creating psychological intensity will bring Lisbeth Salander back into popular movie culture with a roar.”

“Lisbeth Salander is the kind of character any director dreams of bringing to life,” Alvarez added. “We’ve got a great script and now comes the most fun part – finding our Lisbeth.”

Who is starring?

No more Craig and Mara The stars of the 2011 edition of the film will not return

It’s been confirmed that Craig and Mara will not be returning for this film, with Alvarez taking to Twitter to explain why he’s opted to recast the two main roles:

It's said that 50% of the director's work is casting. If I'd just take Fincher's (amazing) casting, I wouldn't be doing half of my job. https://t.co/IgfkK0BimV

Plenty of major actresses have been linked with the role of Lisbeth, including Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and the current front-runner Alicia Vikander. There’s no word yet on who will replace Craig, though the part is likely to attract plenty of A-list interest.

What does the plot involve?

National security has been a big talking point of late, given events surrounding Edward Snowden, Wikileaks and the like, making the events of the The Girl In The Spider’s Web all the more relevant.

In the book, Lisbeth finds herself embroiled in quite the predicament involving the NSA and cyber security as a whole. It’s therefore the perfect time to address what remains a timely and wholly relevant topic.

Who will provide the soundtrack?

Trent Reznor Claiming an Oscar for his work on Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Image Kevin Winter/Getty Images

With Fincher taking a step back, it’s debatable as to whether Trent Reznor will be back to give the movie the same eerie score. The Nine Inch Nails frontman won widespread acclaim for his work on the first film, including a Grammy award, but there’s no word on whether he will return.

Where do we find our characters now?

Having solved the first case together, this film will effectively skip over two books in Larsson’s Millennium series and instead move to the fourth instalment.

One suggestion is that this will allow the filmmakers to skirt around the romantic relationship between Lisbeth and Mikael that was hinted at in Fincher’s film.